Mission Statement:
The Roar is dedicated to our readers, the students of NVHS, above all else. Our staff is committed to reporting worthy local, national and global news, using our website to update our community on local and pressing stories. We have made a pledge to only publish what is both true and fair. It is our mission to represent our school, community and the individuals at NVHS while maintaining the utmost levels of journalistic integrity, passion and discipline.
The Roar
The Roar is a student newspaper at Northview High School published weekly throughout the school year. The newspaper provides staff members with independent reporting opportunities. Writing is based on a wide variety of research for a broad and often critical audience. Business skills are learned through the need to sell advertising to remain financially solvent. The experience demands responsibility, cooperation and teamwork.
Purpose
The Roar serves its audience with accurate and factual reporting on significant aspects of school life and subjects of concern to its readers. It is on guard to inform, entertain, educate and satisfy its readers.
Audience
The primary audience for The Roar is the student body at Northview High School. However, the staff recognizes that the paper is read by the faculty, administrators, parents and the community as a whole.
Code of Ethics
Accuracy is paramount. All reporters and editors will assure that stories are fair, facts are correct and information is as complete, balanced and unbiased as possible.
Sources of information and ideas will be clearly stated. Anonymous sources are NOT to be used, if possible. Students are not able to get into legal trouble by admittance of any illegal activity. With that, anonymous sources will only be allowed if a majority of the editorial board votes saying it is necessary.
The Roar will not publish material that attacks an individual or group in a way which might be embarrassing, except in stories dealing with public responsibility. In this case, the story will represent the person’s or group’s point of view.
No article, photograph or work of art will distort or sensationalize the news, but will present it in a manner appropriate to the topic and audience.
Rumor and gossip will be dealt with only when they raise an issue of concern to the school community and with the intent to clarify the truth. In case of sensitive issues, such as death, the editorial board will vote on if the paper should cover it. They will consider timeliness, relevance and overall connection to the school. Alumni will generally not be covered, but exceptions can be made.
In dealing with issue-oriented content, especially when it involves the potential for controversy, staff members must demonstrate sensitivity to all components of the school community. Also, reporting must be based on specific sources representing diverse points of view, be balanced, fair and represent a full understanding of the issues involved. Controversial topics, based on the need to inform the public, may be dealt with in The Roar and must have a minimum of two sources in order to be even considered to run in the paper. This is to insure we have all sides of the story. No exceptions.
Responsibility for Accuracy
Most material appearing in print is the work of individuals. However, the staff as a whole is responsible for all material which appears in The Roar.
The Roar must always strive for the highest standards of accuracy, completeness and careful research in its presentation of material. However, material will go to press with the facts as they stand at deadline. Therefore, the staff will assume responsibility for these facts as they are posted.
A correction for any significant error of fact or omission, as determined by the Editorial Board or adviser, may be published upon finding the error. The responsibility for composition of the correction lies with the editor, subject to review by the Editorial Board. There will be a note at the top of the article about the date, time and what the correction was to notify the readers.
Parties questioning the editors’ decisions can ask them directly.
Opinion Policy
All by-lined opinion pieces reflect the opinion of the author only, not necessarily those of the Editorial Board, adviser and the rest of the staff. All pieces will have the word “Opinion:” in front of the headline to notify its readers that it is not a news or feature article.
Opinion pieces should be well researched and contain a valid argument. They will be edited and fact-checked to the best of the Editorial Board’s ability while trying to keep the opinion of the staff writer.
Obituary Policy
In the case of the death or deaths of current or former students and/or staff, The Roar will cover the death with at least an obituary. The obituary will be journalistically written with an emphasis on the person’s life and, if timely, give details of the funeral service and/or contribution details.
The death may be covered more extensively if the situation warrants as determined by the staff with the guidance of the adviser. As with all content in The Roar, the editor(s) will make the final decision about the extent of the coverage of the death.
Guest Writing Policy
The Roar does not allow the student body outside of the staff and Journalism One students to guest write. If students are interested in writing for the publication, they must sign up for the Journalism One class.
Comment Policy:
The Roar appreciates and encourages discussions on all topics written about in the comment section on the website and social media’s. All comments are monitored on social media as well as pre-approved by the Editorial Board on the website. The Roar reserves the right to delete, delay or prevent the posting of any comments on any of the platforms for any reason.
Spam, uses language that is discriminatory, derogatory or false, threatens others, including the author and other commenters; publishes or distributes any content that advertises or solicits goods or services are reasons why comments may be not approved.
Advertising Policy:
The Roar receives no subsidy from the school nor the district. All money is made through fundraising and advertising.
Policies-
All advertisements are meant to be relevant and appropriate for high school students. Under no circumstance should their be an ad on the website that promotes anything illegal or obscene for minors.
The Roar will not accept money to write a positive review or story for a company. In return, we will place a graphic of choice and a link to their website.
The opinions written in our opinion section do not reflect those of the businesses we advertise for, therefore no ads are placed on our opinion page.
Interested in an ad?
We provide monthly subscriptions to have your ad on our website. They are as followed:
| Roar(online only-single ad size) |
| 1 issue = 1 month $40 |
| 2 issues = 2 months $75 |
| 3 issues = 3 months $100 |
| 4 issues = 4 months $130 |
| 5 issues – 5 months $150 |
| 9 issues = 9 months (full school year) $200 |
If you are interested in placing an ad, email the editors at hseditor@nvps.net.